Winged wonders: How birds shape the biodiversity of UK woodlands
A curlew in flight. Source: Phil Harrison, 2023.
Birds play an integral role in maintaining and promoting biodiversity in woodlands in the UK. Through the dispersal of seeds, pollination of flowers, recycling of nutrients, and controlling of populations of other animals, avian species profoundly shape woodland ecosystems. Their complex ecological interactions cascade throughout the woodland environment, influencing species of plants, insects, mammals, and other birds.
Birds also act as a warning sign of the state of our planet because their populations respond so quickly to changes in the environment. We rely on birdlife more than we realise, particularly when it comes to our native woodlands.
Challenges facing woodlands today
Climate change
Woodlands face considerable threats in the present day that jeopardise their rich biodiversity. One of the most significant threats is climate change. Warmer temperatures and drier conditions have increased the likelihood and severity of wildfires and droughts, both of which can severely damage woodland habitats. These changes in climate have also contributed to a shift in the range of some woodland species, as they move northward seeking more suitable climate conditions.
Deforestation
Human activities put woodlands under continual pressure. Deforestation due to the expansion of human infrastructure and agricultural land, is a major concern. The removal of trees deprives many birds and other wildlife of breeding and foraging habitat, putting their populations under pressure. Whilst woodland cover in Britain has not consistently decreased over the last few decades, the makeup of the trees within that cover has changed. British woodland has doubled over the last 100 years, but with more non-native trees now in existence, meaning native forestation and the wildlife dependent upon it are at greater risk.
Urbanisation
Increasing urbanisation and development around woodlands further threatens biodiversity through pollution, litter, and human disturbance. Recreational use of woodlands can lead to the trampling of vegetation, disturbance of breeding birds, and disruption of natural ecological processes. We need to take better care when entering these environments to ensure we carry out our activities responsibly. The Countryside Code is in place to help us consider the impact of our nature-related hobbies and to minimise disturbances, ensuring we keep our distance.
Blackbird in winter. Source: Bernard Thompson, 2023.
Why birds matter in woodland ecosystems
Understanding these threats to woodlands underscores the vital role that birds play in maintaining these ecosystems. Here are several ways they contribute to our woodlands' resilience and vitality:
Regulating pests
Birds residing in woodland environments serve an essential role in sustaining ecological balance through predation. Predatory bird species feed on invertebrates and small mammals, such as voles and shrews, helping to maintain a stable ratio of predators to prey in woodland ecosystems.
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Great spotted woodpecker. Source: Aaron Sheppard, 2023.
During the summer breeding season, the diet of certain bird species - including tits, warblers, and flycatchers - is largely composed of invertebrates like caterpillars, beetles, spiders, and woodlice. These birds help manage the populations of these invertebrates, some of which are known to feed on woodland plants. Consequently, birds contribute to natural pest control, safeguarding the health of trees and other vegetation in woodland ecosystems. Birds also alleviate potential damage to living trees caused by certain pests. For example, the great spotted woodpecker feeds on wood-boring beetles, which can otherwise harm trees. Thus, woodland birds perform critical roles in both predator-prey balance and plant protection, further underscoring the importance of their preservation.
Preserving natural processes
Habitats far and wide - from forests to wetlands - sustain all life on Earth, even benefitting those dwelling hundreds of miles apart. They sequester carbon, stabilise the climate, produce oxygen, and convert pollutants into nutrients. Birds play a critical role in maintaining the health and proper functioning of many ecosystems. Declines in their populations can easily disrupt delicate ecological balances and food webs, potentially causing a cascading effect on overall habitat health and resilience. So, preserving avian biodiversity is key to ensuring ecosystems can adapt to changing conditions and provide services that all life relies upon.
Wood pigeon. Source: Phil Harrison, 2023.
Seed dispersal and germination
Many woodland birds feast on fruits, berries, and nuts during the late summer and autumn, dispersing seeds throughout the forest in the process. The likes of thrushes, blackbirds, and wood pigeons, all consume copious amounts of seeds which are excreted intact in their droppings, ready to germinate upon landing in a suitable spot. The seeds of plants like rowan, holly, beech, and other native trees, are commonly spread in this fashion. However, this is not the only method of successful germination. The jay is a prime example, with their common caching of acorns often never returned to, leaving the hidden store free to develop their potential as new oak trees.
The general mobility of birds certainly allows for longer-distance seed dispersal, enabling the colonisation of new areas. By transporting seeds well beyond the vicinity of the parent plant, birds expand the ranges of woodlands and increase the connectivity between isolated forest fragments. This creates an essential partnership between birds and the regeneration of woodland plants, with many species having specifically evolved fruits adapted for avian consumption and dispersal.
The importance of preserving biodiversity
Protecting biodiversity involves far more than simply conserving singular species. We must think and act broadly by restoring diverse ecosystems - reintroducing locally extinct species where needed, connecting fragmented habitats, and harnessing nature-based solutions adapted to our climate emergency.
While conservation efforts aim to protect remaining woodlands and increase tree cover, woodland habitats face significant challenges from human activity and a changing climate. Urgent action is required to mitigate these threats, connect fragmented woodland patches, and ensure these vital refuges for biodiversity persist into the future so that birds and all woodland life can continue shaping these ecosystems. This is one of the central aims of 9Trees - every sapling planted helps towards their new biodiversity fund!
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Woodland birds are vital partners in sustaining the complexity of life in British forests. Protecting them helps ensure woodlands remain havens of biodiversity for generations to come.
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By Annie Button - Blog writer and Conservation Communicator